DISCUSSIONS: GAS CRISIS AND WHAT CONSEQUENCES IT MAY CARRY (Dyskusje: kryzys gazowy - i co z niego wynika?)

Towards the end of 2009 and in early 2008 we witnessed a crisis in Russo-Ukrainian relations over gas shipments and transit to the EU area. The repetitiveness of the situation each time makes one reflect and ask questions, not so much about the causes and course of a successive crisis as about the next pretext than has just been employed. Responsibility for the disruption of gas shipments to Europe states lies with Russia, whose style of dealing with and settling political disputes precludes dialogue, negotiation, arbitration or court litigation. If the use of force is feasible - such as turning off the gas tap, imposing an embargo or sanctions, or sending troops - we may be certain that such an option will always find a large group of backers in Moscow.